Engineer watchkeeper

This is an international qualification for Australian registered vessels operating in international waters.

This certificate enables you to work as an engineer watchkeeper on certain vessels.

With this certificate you can perform the duties or functions of:

Engineer watchkeeper officer on ships of any propulsion power in any operating area

If endorsed, you can perform Second engineer duties on ships less than 3000 kilowatts in any operating area

If endorsed, you can perform Chief engineer duties on ships less than 3000 kilowatts in near coastal waters.

Eligibility

To get an engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency you must meet medical, sea service and course requirements. The requirements depend on whether you are getting a certificate for the first time or revalidating an existing certificate. Each requirement and how to prove that you meet them is explained in these instructions.

For initial issue of a Certificate of competency you are required to obtain a Certificate of medical fitness in Australia. The medical examination can be organised by contacting Sonic HealthPlus. We strongly recommend that you complete the medical examination before you commence training to ensure that you are medically fit for a seagoing career.

Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats

Medical first aid.

Trainee engineers

If you are a Trainee engineer, you must complete these courses to obtain an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency:

a workshop skills equivalent qualification (Engineer certificate III or one of the 11 relevant trades specified) or another approved qualification that includes workshop skills (as per STCW Code section A-III/1)

Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats

Medical first aid.

Engineers

If you are an engineer holding an unrestricted state or territory issued Engineer class 3 or Engineer class 3 near coastal qualification, you must complete these courses to obtain an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency:

Engineer cadets

If you are an Engineer cadet, and have been one for a minimum of 3 years, you must complete 36 weeks of sea service on vessels greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts. 26 weeks of this service must be performed on enginer room watchkeeping duties under the supervision of an engineer officer.

Trainee engineers

If you are a Trainee engineer, you must complete 36 weeks of sea service on vessels greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts. 26 weeks of this service must be performed on enginer room watchkeeping duties under the supervision of an engineer officer.

Engineers

If you are an engineer holding an unrestricted state or territory issued Engineer class 3 or Engineer class 3 near coastal qualification, you must complete 26 weeks of sea service while holding an unrestricted Engineer class 3, or Engineer class 3 near coastal certificate on vessels greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts.

All submitted sea service must be documented qualifying sea service. Read more about sea service.

How to apply for sea service assessment

You will need to complete this sea service and then submit a Seafarer form 419 to us so we can assess your sea service and issue you with an AMSA assessment letter. This letter is the evidence you need to prove that you have met the sea service requirements for your qualification. This letter will also instruct you to complete your oral examination.

Revalidate certificate

What do I need to do?

You will need to provide evidence that you are medically fit to perform duties in the capacity of an Engineer watchkeeper. As per Marine Order 76 (Health—medical fitness) 2017you can only perform the duties of a seafarer on a relevant vessel if you are medically fit to perform the duties.

If you need to revalidate your current certificate, you can provide evidence of a medical completed in Australia, or in a country with an agreement with us.

Obtain a Certificate of medical fitness from overseas

You will need to print the relevant medical paperwork and make an appointment with a medical examiner. The medical examiner must be approved by the administration of the country which has an agreement with us.

Keep the original of this letter and send us a copy with your application.

Complete continued competence refresher training for the STCW short courses in Advanced fire fighting and Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats in the previous 5 years.

These refresher courses are valid for up to 5 years, but can only be used once for revalidation purposes.

Note: Seafarers are to ensure that their continued competence refresher training in sea survival and fire fighting remains current throughout the validity of their CoC, CoP or COST. This also applies to holders of a Certificate of Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats.

Without required sea service

If you do not have the required sea service, you will need to complete the full STCW short courses in:

Advanced fire fighting

Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.

You will also need to complete one of the following options:

Complete an approved revalidation course for your certificate within 5 years before applying to revalidate your certificate.

Complete an oral examination.

Perform duties and functions that we consider at least equivalent to sea service.

There are two endorsements you can add to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency.

Endorsement as Second engineer

This endorsement adds Second engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts in any operating area. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

at least 12 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts propulsion power

approved training in engineering management.

Endorsement as Chief engineer

This endorsement adds Chief engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts operating in near coastal waters. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

at least 24 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 375 kilowatts propulsion power

12 months of this sea service must have been done while holding a Marine engine driver grade 1 near certificate of competency, or an unrestricted Marine engine driver grade 1 certificate of competency

approved training in engineering management.

With additional sea service and training courses, you can qualify for:

Endorsements

There are two endorsements you can add to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency.

Endorsement as Second engineer

This endorsement adds Second engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts in any operating area. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

at least 12 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 750 kilowaats propulsion power

have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section A-III/3.

Endorsement as Chief engineer

This endorsement adds Chief engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts operating in near coastal waters. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

at least 24 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 375 kilowatts propulsion power

12 months of this sea service must have been done while holding the STCW endorsement as Second Engineer (less than 3000 kilowatts), Marine engine driver grade 1 near certificate of competency, or an unrestricted Marine engine driver grade 1 certificate of competency

have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section A-III/3.